Vending machine



Dec. 12, 1933. J F HOOVER 1,939,120

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor J. F. HOOVER VENDING MACHINE Dec. 12, 1933.

Filed Dec. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 flllomey .1. F. HOOVER 1,939,120 VENDING MACHINE Dec. 12, 1933.

IF/5500 er Dec. 12, 1933. J HOOVER 1,939,120

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 flllorney Dec. 12, 1933- J. F. HOOVER VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 x 2' 14 /6 3 /7 if H a? /-9 Y /a. H A

la Inventor *I J; /5az)er' Dec. 12, 1933. J. F. HOOVER 1,939,120

VENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lnvcnlor wdoi izm Patented Dec. 12, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,939,120 VENDING MACHIN James l t Hoover, Duncan, Okla.

. Application December 4, 1931. Serial No. 579,052

6 Claims.- (01. 22s 49) My invention'relates to vending machines, and

more particularly to a machine for vending packaged peanuts. V

The invention consists in the provision of a i vending'machine having means for maintaining the peanuts or the likein' awarm tasteful state, together with means for measuring the amount to be vended in addition to means for automatically packing the measured quantity and subse- 1 quently delivering the package ofpeanuts through a part of the machine to be withdrawn therefrom in a manner convenient to the purchaser.

The invention, together with its numerous objects and advantages willbe best understood from a study of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, it being distinctly understood that my invention is in nowise to be limited to the specific embodiment shown, the invention being restricted only by the requirement of the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of one side of the invention. a

Figure 2 is a similar view of a relatively opposite side thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional elevational view therethrough.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevational view through certain parts of the device to be hereinafter more fully referred to, and showing the position of the chute and the measuring device just prior to a discharge of the article or articles being vended.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the bag to receive the charge being in a fully opened position.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of one side of the chute showing the parts thereof in one po sition relative to one another. r

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, viewing the chutefrom a relatively opposite side thereof and showing the parts of the chute in a second position relative to one another.,

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially onthe line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of oneend portion of the chute.

Figure 10 is a" perspective view of a pivoted sack clamp.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a cam member certain parts being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a bag opening or expanding member.

Figure 13 is a vertical sectional view through the rotable combined valve and measuring member.

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of a drum for supporting the member shown in Figure 13.

Figure '15 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view through a sack holder.

Figure 16is a perspective view of a latch bar 5 for locking the bag holder in a predetermined position.

Figure 1'? is a longitudinal edge elevational view of a bag orsack.

In actual practice, it is to be understood that 7 a suitable casing would be provided for housing the mechanism forming the essence of the present invention, such housing in the present instance being omittedas unessential to a suflicient understanding of the invention. '7

Within such a housing would be placed a skeleton frame, structure suchassuggested in the drawings and designated generally by the reference character 1.

In this manner suitable supporting and bracing structure is provided fora drum 2 which, as clearly. suggested in Figure 14, is open at relatively opposite ends thereof, and in the periphery thereof is provided with 'a discharge opening 3 together with, as best shown in Figure 4, .9 an opening 4 about which is a flared mouth 5 projecting substantially radial to the drum as shown inthe last mentioned figure. The mouth 5 conformably receives the lower end of a removable hopper 6 into which the peanuts or the 9 like to be vended are initially placed.

Opening 4 -is controlled by a combined valve and measuring cylinder 7 that is provided in its peripherywith an intake and discharge orifice 8 provided for an article receiving pocket'9 whichmay be of any desired predetermined capacity.

Drum 2 at the lower end of opening 3.is pro- 7 vided with opposed ears 10 supporting a hinge pin- 11 that is normally rotated in one direction through the medium .of a spring 12. A chute sec- 0 tion 13 is connected with the hinge pin Hand is provided with opposed sides 13a provided adjacent the pivoted end of the section with con- .wherebylthe. sliding section 14 is constrained to 1.1

slide substantially in its own plane for extending or retracting the extensible chute formed by the sections 13, 14. Chute section 14 is normally retained in its retracted position, that is in the position shown in Figure 3 through the medium of springs 18 suitably anchored at one end to the skeleton frame 1, and at their other ends respectively secured to the upper ends of arms 19 fixed to the sides 15 of the section 14 intermediate the ends of such sides. 9

Corresponding ends of the sides 15 are provided with heads 20 arranged in the path of cams 21 provided on relatively opposite endsof the cylinder '7 (see Figure 2), the cams being of any suitable shape and construction, but preferably of the shape and construction suggested in Figure 11. p V M It is therefore apparent, that when the drum 7 rotates in one direction the cams 21 will engage the heads 20 to shift them from the position shown in Figure 6 to the position shown in Figure '7 whereby tray section 14 is projected beyond tray section 13 and the tray or chute formed by such sections is then in a fully extended position. I

As will be apparent from a study of Figures 4 and 5, as the cams 21 move out of engagement with the head 20, the convex faces of the cams move into engagement with the concave edges 13b causing rotation .of chute section 13 so that the chute in its extended position swings downwardly from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5.

Forming part of the skeleton frame structural is a pair of inclined oppositely disposed relatively spaced supporting bars la whichslidably support therebetweena bag holder; the latter comprising side walls23, and end wall 24; each of said .walls on its lower edge being provided with an inwardly directed flange. 25. At their free ends and adjacent their lower edges thewalls 23 are connected by a bar-26 that is inclined at an angle to the perpendicular and is curved in transverse cross 'section. The holder referred to is adaptedto accommodatea stack of expansible bags or sacks 27 supported on the flanges 25.

' is supported by the bar 26 and the free end of the shorter wallis normally disposed below the plane of the bar 26 whereby to facilitate insertion of a bag expanding member designated generally by the reference character 29.

As shown in Figure 12 the bag expander 29 is preferably formed from asingle length of wire bent-into a substantial U and at the open end of the U, opposed sides-30 of the bag expander are directed laterally in' opposite directions as at 31 and theextensions 31 merge into return extensions havingangular portions thusforming angular depending arms 32.- The expander 29 is pivotally-supported on the longitudinally extensible chute in the following manner: The exsuitable angle to the perpendicular, bars 1b which at their lower ends are provided with pander together with the proximate end of the chute section 14 will pass into the bag through the mouth thereof, and as the chute is swung downwardly from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5 in a manner hereinbefore also fully explained, the bag 27 so engaged will be displaced and move with the chute.

- This downward movement of the chute will cause the arms 32' of the expander to engage the pins 33 rotating the expander to the position shown in Figure 5 whereupon the displaced bag 27 will be expanded as shown in the last mentioned figure, the bag being now in position to receive thecontents of the pocket 9. j

A bag clamping bar 34 is provided (Fig. 10) and adjacent'one end thereof of the bar is equipped as at 35 for pivotal engagement with the hinge pin 11, and at said endis provided witha depending lug 36 having suitably secured thereto andextending laterally from-relatively opposite sides thereof a pin 37 that is engaged by the depending ends of heads 20 when the latter have' moved into the position shown in Figure 4. Bag clamping bar 34 being normally in the position shown in Figure 3,'it will be apparent that this engagement of the heads 20 with the pin 37 will cause the bar 34 to swing upwardly to the position'suggested in Figure 4 in suitably timed relation with respect to the sliding movement of the tray 14 whereby to clampa proximate wall of the bag 27-between the bar 34 and thetray 14 as suggested in: Figures 4 and 5. As therein shown to advantage, bar 34 adjacent its free endis provided with a head or protuberance 38 which engages said proximate wall of the bag 27 andforces .a portion of said wall upwardly through an aperture 39 provided in the sliding tray sectionl4.

With the parts as shown in Figure 5, it will be apparent that the contents of the pocket 9 will pass therefrom on to the tray and from the tray into the expanded bag 27. As earns 21 move out of engagement with the edges 13b of the tray sides 13s the tray section 13 will begin to rotate in a reverse direction that isto say will again swing upwardly from the position shown in Figure 5 to-the position shown in Figure 4 and at the same time under action of springs 18, tray 14 will begin to move inwardly to the position suggested in Figure 3.

Also, pressure of the heads 20 against the pin 3'7 is being released leaving the bar 34 free to swing to its normal position or to the position shown in Figure 3 whereupon the bag 27 together with itscontents, will move longitudinally with respect tothe chute and fall by gravity on to a pivoted tray 40 pivoted at one end as at 41 in the lower portion of the skeleton frame 1. The tray sentedat the forward end of thetray to be easily removed therefrom by the purchaser.

Tray 40 is normally urged upwardly to the position suggested by full lines in Figure 3 through the medium of spring means 43 suitably anchored to the skeleton frame 1 and connected with arms arm 61.

zrgesamo tray. Downward swinging movement of the tray 1 40 is limited by a'transverse roller 45.

.TFrom a study of Figure 3, it will be seen. that with the parts all in their normal positions, the [chute is limited in its upward swinging moverment, by reason of the fact that 'the forward free end of the chute section 14 normally abuts the cross bar 26 of the sack holder.

l'I'he bag holder is releasably retained in operative position with respect'to the chute through the medium of a latchbar 46 which. at its. end is provided with apertured lugs pivotally engaged as y :at 47 with horizontal bars 10 of the skeleton frame. with a keeper lug 48 disposed transversely and Bar 46 intermediate its ends'is provided having a beveled end engaging a proximate edge of an upper cross bar 23a extendingbetween-the walls 23 of the bag holder as clearly suggestedin "Figure 3. 'vided at one end of the bar 46 to facilitate mov- A suitable lever or handle 49 is proing of the bar about'its' pivot into and'out of operative engagement with the bar 23a.

A member 50 is also suitably mounted within the skeleton frame 1' andhas bearing contact with an'upper transverse bar' 24a provided adjacent the rear wall 24 of the bag holder and curved to maintain the bottom portion of the bag holder in bearing contact with the inclined frame bars 1a. 7

It is apparent, that when the bag holder is removed for the purpose of replenishing the supply of sacks 27 the chute under action of spring 18 will have a tendency to swing upwardly. To prevent this, there is provided a' stop rod 52 that i is somewhat angular, and'which at its upper end is pivoted as at 53 to one of the framebars 1c and at said pivoted end is provided'with alateral projection 52a the terminal of which is normally urged into bearing contact with the upper edge of an adjacent side l3athrough themedium of a spring 54 connected at one end with the extension 52a and at a relatively opposite end anchored to a frame bar 1a. (See Figure 3.)

The rod 52below the pivot 53 is also provided with a finger'55 arranged in the path" of the bag holder and adapted to be engaged with the forward edge of an adjacent side wall 23 of the '-holder when the latter is moved into its final operative position with respect. to the chute whereby to swing the rod toward the right in Figure 1 permitting the'chute to swing upwardly there is provided a gear 58in mesh with a suita- .bly mounted gearv 59 and on the pivot 60 provided for the gear 59 there is mounted for rotation relative thereto an arm 61 which adjacent its pivoted end is engaged with asuitably anchored spring 62.

Arm 61 isadapted to be swung about its pivot. 60 against the action of spring 62 through the medium of an eccentric pin 63' provided on the gear 69 and arranged to engage the While the arm 61 is completing a'fullrevolution the free end of the arm is adapted to cengage the toothed edgeof a ratchetwheel'64 that end of the dog 67 arranged in the path of the arranged to rotate about a fixed pivot 65 and :normally" urged in one direction namely in a clockwise direction through themedium of suita- -ble;spring means (not shown) and arranged in a housing 66. This referred to engagement of arm '61 with wheel 64 will cause the same to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction a distance of one I ratchet tooth.

' Clockwiserotation of the ratchet wheel 64 is normally'retarded through the medium of a suit- 1 ably mounted pivoteddog 67 one end of which is normally engaged with the teeth of the ratchet "'wheelthrough the medium of a spring 68. The free end" of dog 67 is normally arranged in operative position to the lower or discharge end of an inclined coin chute 68 into'which a coin is fed from asuitably mounted and well known type 'of coin receiving tray and shifter device 69. Since the particular structure 69 is well known in the art :and is not of the essenceof the present invention adetail description thereof is deemed unnecessary. I

Fromthe foregoing it will be apparent that a coin dischargingfrom the chute 68 will engage coin whereby the dog 6'7 will be rocked against the action of spring 68 and will remain out of engageswitch referred to includes a relatively fixed spring contact 70 and a relatively movable contact '71 provided at one end of a pivotally mounted dog 72 of insulating material. The end of the dog '72 remote from the contact 71 is arranged in the path of an. eccentric pin '74 provided on the ratchet .115

wheel 64. Dog 72 is normally urged to rotate in one direction for engaging contact 71 with contact 70 through the medium of a suitably anchored spring 75.

:Normally eccentric pin 74 is engaged with the 1-20 proximate end of thedog 72 so that the circuit to the motor 56 isnormally open. Manifestly,

upon the insertion'of a coin into the machine, and

the subsequent engagement thereof with the dog 67 pin '74 will be moved out of engagement with dog '12 and the latter under action of spring 75 will rotate so as to engage contacts '71, '72 thus closingthe circuit to the motor. Rotation of the drum will, through the medium of gear 58 meshing with gear 59 rotate the latter one complete revolution and pin 63 engaging arm 61 will cause 7 the same to rotate about its pivot and'during such' rotation to engagethe' periphery of the ratchet wheel 64 causing the latter to rotate in a reverse direction, that is in an anti-clockwise direction the distance of one tooth so that pin 74 will engage the proximate end of the dog 72 rotating the latter toward the right in Figure 1 thus separating convtact 71, 70 for opening the circuit to the motor and thus stop rotation of cylinder '7.

' It is thought apparent, that for each coin placed .in the machine, the ratchet wheel 64 will be re- -tated' the distance of one tooth with the result that the circuit'to the motor would remain closed until a reverse direction of rotation on the part of the ratchet wheel 64 has beenmade the required number of teeth to move the pin '74 into engagement with thedog '72. *to' open the circuit at the completion of each lidischarge of the'pocket 9 means is provided for 5 In order therefore chaser.

separating the contacts and 71 upon the swinging of the tray 40 to the dotted lineposition shown in Figure 3. Such means comprises a rod 7'7 pivotally connected atoneend to an arm 78pmvided on the pivot rod 41 ofthetray 40.

The rod 77 is constrained to reciprocate vertically and at its upperend is'arranged in the path of the dog 72, so that as shown in Figure .1, with the contacts 70 and 71 in engagement, a downward swingingimovement of the tray 40 tothe dotted line position in Figure 3 would cause an upward movement of the rod 77, and the upper end .of the rod will engage the dog 72 swinging the same about its pivot against'the action of spring thus separating the contacts70,,'71 and opening the circuit to the motor.

- When a sack of peanuts or the like is removed -to-, move downwardly,'and dog 72 under action of spring '75 will rotate to reengage contacts 70 and 71 to close the circuit. Thus a desired number of coins, within reason may be placed'one immediately following the other Within the device and sacked peanuts or the like will be delivered one after another to-the purchaser without any further operation on the part of the pur- Suitable means may be provided for maintaining the salted peanuts or like articles to be vended in a warm tasteful state, and in the present instance such means consists in properly'positioned electric heating elements '79,.the latter -in the present instance being electric bulbs summarized as follows: The salted peanuts or other articles to be vended are placed within the hopper 6 and by gravity pass into the pocket 9 when the opening 8 of the cylinder 7 passes across the opening 4 provided on the periphery of the casing 2. The capacity of the pocket?) is substantially the same as the'capacity of a sack 27. Upon an insertion of the coin of the proper denomination the dog 57 is actuated in the manner hereinbefore described whereupon the ratchet wheel 64 is rotated the distance of one ratchet tooth with the result that the contacts 70 and 71 are moved-into engagement thus closing the circuit to the motor 56 causing the cylinder '7 to revolve; v i

As the cylinder'7 rotates the cams 21 thereon come into contact first with the heads 20 resulting in a projection of the tray section 14 and the projecting tray section 14 together with the bag expander 29 pass into the mouth of the lowermost sack 27. The cams 21 next come into contact with the edges 13b of the chute sides 13 causing the extended chute-to swing downwardly "tothe position shown in Figure 5 thus displacing the lowermost bag 27, and the expander 29 being rocked about its pivot by reason of the arms 32 of the expander'engaging the pin 33, the bag 27 with the chute in the position shown in Figure 5 will be expanded. v I

With the bag in this expanded positionit will be seen that opening 8-is=now in registry with the opening-3 in. the drum or casing 2 as shown in Figure 5 so that the contents of the pocket 9 .tion with the chute section 14.

will by gravity discharge therefrom and'by reason ofthe extended chute be directed into the expanded bag 2'7 which is releasably heldin'expanded position at the lower end of the chute by reason of the clamping bar 34 having been swung upwardly into cooperative clamping rela- This upward swinging movement of the bar 34 is accomplished, as before explained, by reason of the lower ends ofthe-heads 20 engaging the pin 37 when the chute has been longitudinally extended.

As. the cams 21 move out of engagement with the edges 13b, heads 20 being free ofengagement ofthe cams bar 34 swings to its normal position,

chute section 14 returns under action of springs 18 'toits normal position and the sack 27 with its contents is released and falls on to the tray .40. .During this revolving of the drum the gear 59*also revolves and the pin 63thereof engaging thearm 61 carries the same with the gear 59 and at the completion of the discharge from pocket 9 and the movement of the drum to cause the opening 8 thereof to pass out of registry with the opening 3 ratchet wheel 64 will, by reason of arm 61 engaging the periphery thereof rotates in'a reverse or counter clockwise direction whereupon pin 74 is again engaged with the dog 72 to actuate the latter for separating the contacts .70 and 71 thus opening the circuit to the motor completing the cycle of operation.

Even though I have herein shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that I in no wise in-.

tend-to limit myself to the particular details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts beyond the requirement of the prior art and scopeof the appended claims.

. Having ,thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. Ina device of the character described, and

in combination, a charge measuring device in cluding a rotatable part, a longitudinally extensible chute pivotally mounted to receive a charge from said measuring device, means for supporting a bagin a substantially closed position, and in operativeposition with respect to said chute, a pivotally mounted bag clamping member cooperable with said chute for engaging the bag to yieldablyretain the latter in position to re- .ceive a charge from said chute, a pivoted bag expanding member cooperable with the chute for expanding the bag, driving means for the charge measuring member, means for extending said chute upon rotationof said charge measuring member, said lastmentioned means including -means for moving the bag clamping member into the bag clamping position with r spect to said chute, means for causing the bag expanding member to rotate: relativeto the chute duringrotation of the latter and yieldable means for re- 1 tracting'sa-id chute.

2. In a device of the character described in combination a charge measuring rotatably mounted cylinder, a pivotally mounted chute arranged to' receive a charge from said cylinder,

means for supporting a substantially normally closed sack in substantial alinement with said I chute, said chute being longitudinally extensible and-having its free end arranged for insertion into the bag, means for rotating said cylinder, 1+

means for transmitting movement of the cylinder to the chute, and for extending the chute longi tudinally, means cooperatingwith the chute for expanding thebag subsequent to a displacement of the bag and means for releasably retaining the 1 bag in expanded condition to receive a charge from said cylinder, means for arresting the transmission of power to said cylinder at the completion of each full revolution of the cylinder, and yieldable' means normally retaining the chute in a contracted condition.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a pivotally mounted normally contracted longitudinally extensible chute, means for emitting a discharge on to said chute, a relatively stationary bag holding device arranged in operative position to said chute for supporting a bag insubstantial alinement with the chute, and to be displaced upon rotation of the chute in one direction, means for extending the chute to thereby project one end of the chute into, the bag alined therewith for initially engaging the chute with the bag, coin controlled means .for rotating the chute subsequent to the extension thereof for displacing the bag, a member mounted to rotate relative to the chute and insertable in the bag simultaneously with the insertion of said one end of the chute, and means in the path of the bag expanding member for causing the same to swing relative to the chute upon swinging movement of the chute to thereby expand the bag, and a tray arranged to receive the expanded bag and the contents thereof.

4. In a device of the character described, and in combination a revoluble charge emitting cylinder, a tray arranged to receive the-discharge of said cylinder and including a pivoted section and a sliding mction shiftable relative to the pivoted section, cams on the cylinder rotatable therewith, means on the sliding tray section arranged in the path of the cams to cause a shifting of the sliding tray section relative to the pivoted section, means on the pivoted tray section engaged by the cams for rotating said pivoted section, and elastic means acting on said chute section in opposition to the action of said cams.

5. In a vending machine, a. holder for paper bags open at its bottom, an extensible chute including asection pivoted at one end and a second section slidably engaged with the first named section and having an end arranged to be protruded into a bag within said holder, means normally retaining the second named section of the chute in a retracted position, means for projecting the second named chute section to cause said one end of the second named chute section to pass into the paper bag, and means for subsequently rotating the first named chute section to thereby withdraw said bag from the holder through the open bottom of the latter.

6. In a vending machine, a longitudinally extensible chutepivoted at one end and having a free end adapted upon extension of said chute to be protruded into a paper bag, a bag opening member pivotally carried by said chute and normally lying in a plane parallel to said chute, and

, being also adapted for introduction into the bag upon projection of said end of the chute into the bag, a bag clamping member swingable relative to said chute and coacting with the free end of the chute to clamp the bag thereon, means for rotating said chute, means for rotating said bag opening member upon downward movement of said chute, for expanding the bag, and additional means for swinging said bag clamping member to a releasing position relative to the chute when said chute begins its upward movement.

JAMES F. HOOVER. 

